Justification:
The Mekong Giant Salmon Carp has a wide range within the Mekong River, but is now present at very low densities in both adult and juvenile forms. Its population has been much reduced (by more than 90%) over the last decade (C. Vidthayanon, pers. comm.), as a result of overfishing and habitat degradation. The species is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered. This fish is also likely to be impacted in the future by development of mainstream dams, which will further limit its breeding success.

This species is endemic to the Mekong River basin, occurring from Lao PDR to northern Cambodia. It was described from a specimen taken from the Mekong at the entrance to the Mun River, Thailand.

The Mekong Giant Salmon Carp once occurred from the Lower Mekong, through the Khorat Plateau to Phnom Penh, but has recently been seen from Chiang Rai in northern Thailand (unconfirmed record). Its current distribution is northeastern Thailand and central Lao PDR, restricted to larger parts of rivers.

The species was once widespread in the mainstream Mekong River, but naturally rare and has been much reduced in recent years (Rainboth 1996). Its range has reduced and now larger individuals are very rarely found. It is rare in Lao PDR, and has likely disappeared from Thailand. Its population has reduced over the last decade by more than 90% (C. Vidthayanon, pers. comm.) as a result of overfishing and habitat degradation.

Local overfishing (especially through drift gill nets), illegal fishing (explosives) impact its populations, and hydrographic change due to mainstream dams and climate change threaten its survival and recruitment. There are three further dams planned in the Thai part of the Mekong, within the species current distribution.